Encorp Pacific Canada Issues Recycling Challenge to BC Residents

One billion beverage containers "a good start," but British Columbians can do even more

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - April 22, 2015) - In honour of Earth Day, Encorp Pacific Canada is challenging British Columbians to recycle more than one billion beverage containers.

In 2014, BC residents returned almost a billion beverage containers to 172 Return-It Depots throughout the province. That's over a 30% increase from ten years ago. This year, Encorp wants to surpass that number.

"I think one billion is a pretty good start when it comes to recycling," said Scott Fraser, President and CEO of Encorp Pacific. "But Earth Day is a great opportunity for us to come together and do even more. Recycling used beverage containers when you're out and about is an easy way to make a significant and long-lasting impact on the environment."

To encourage BC residents to recycle even more, Encorp is introducing its Return-It to Win-It contest where you could turn your empties into a new set of wheels. BC residents can simply bring in their empty beverage containers to a participating Return-It Depot between now and July 31st to be entered to win the grand prize of a 2015 Toyota Prius C hybrid with an approximate retail value of $21,000. Second prize is a Stromer e-Bike. Third prize is a pair of Pelican brand kayaks.

Recycling beverage containers pays a number of dividends to British Columbians:

BC residents prevented 94,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere by recycling beverage containers last year.

In 2013, residents diverted over 4.9 million kilograms of aluminum from BC landfills by recycling aluminum cans.

Recycling plastic soda and water bottles provides an 86% energy savings over manufacturing new plastic.

Encorp Pacific (Canada) is a federally incorporated not-for-profit stewardship corporation. Committed to developing and managing a consumer-friendly and cost-effective system to recover beverage containers from consumers and ensure that they are recycled and not incinerated or landfilled. To learn more about Encorp Pacific (Canada), visit return-it.ca.

If you'd like more information about recycling in BC and the Return-It To Win-It contest, or to schedule an interview with Scott Fraser, please call Sandy Sigmund at (604) 473-2400 or visit return-it.ca/winit.